NEITHER HERE NOR THERE, YOU BECOME A STRANGER FOR BOTH SIDES: SUCCESSFUL AGING IN CHINESE AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Previous studies have critiqued the inordinate emphasis on high physical and cognitive functioning and a relative absence of cultural factors in our understanding of the aging process. The multi-year Perceptions of Aging Well in Diverse Populations study explores (1) the meanings attached to aging well across cultures and (2) similarities and differences in these perceptions within diverse racial and/or ethnic groups. This presentation highlights findings from in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with Chinese Americans 50 years and older (n=25; 10 male, 15 female; mean age 58.3 years). Thematic analysis of the data showed that generation status, age at arrival, density of social networks, and level of acculturation were key determinants of successful aging. Specifically, those who were born in the United States or had immigrated at an early age appeared to value their independence and were actively making retirement plans. Late-life immigrants were often lonely and more dependent on their adult children. Financial security and healthcare access were important considerations for mid-life immigrants. Several participants felt like an ‘outsider’ in the US but also felt like they were regarded as ‘foreigners’ in their country of origin, resulting in feelings of ambivalence and alienation. Many participants, particularly women, reported feeling less safe in their neighborhoods given the increasing prevalence of violence against Asian Americans in recent years and some were even contemplating moving to another country post-retirement. These findings provide insights into how aging is experienced among Chinese Americans and may help inform initiatives to support successful aging in this population sub-group.

in this population, less is known about the unmet needs in health and healthcare service utilization for diverse patients in healthcare systems. We examined racial-ethnic variation in patterns of multimorbidity associated with emergency department (ED) and clinic visits among oldest-old patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). Administrative and clinical data from an integrated healthcare system for five years included 25,801 oldest-old patients with MCCs. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified patterns of MCCs by four racial-ethnic groups (White, Black, Hispanic, & Other). Clusters associated with ED and clinic visits were analyzed using generalized estimation equations. The average of 5.79 (±2.79) MCCs ranging from 5.36 (±2.61) for Other to 5.82 (±2.79) for Hispanic patients at baseline decreased over time. Hypothyroidism, Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia, bone-and-joint, metabolism syndrome, and pulmonaryvascular clusters were commonly observed across the groups. Unique cluster patterns were identified among Black patients (e.g., renal diseases were grouped with metabolic syndrome cluster). While almost all clusters were significantly associated with ED and clinic visits among White patients, distinctive clusters were significantly related to ED and clinic visits among Hispanic patients (e.g., bone-and-joint cluster grouped with renal diseases was significantly associated with ED [RR=1.36, p < .0001] and clinic [RR=1.39, p < .0001] visits, respectively). Patterns of multimorbidity and its significant association with healthcare service utilization varied by race-ethnicity. Findings suggest a need for culturally tailored care management within integrated healthcare systems. Previous studies have critiqued the inordinate emphasis on high physical and cognitive functioning and a relative absence of cultural factors in our understanding of the aging process. The multi-year Perceptions of Aging Well in Diverse Populations study explores (1) the meanings attached to aging well across cultures and (2) similarities and differences in these perceptions within diverse racial and/or ethnic groups. This presentation highlights findings from in-depth, semistructured qualitative interviews with Chinese Americans 50 years and older (n=25; 10 male, 15 female; mean age 58.3 years). Thematic analysis of the data showed that generation status, age at arrival, density of social networks, and level of acculturation were key determinants of successful aging. Specifically, those who were born in the United States or had immigrated at an early age appeared to value their independence and were actively making retirement plans. Latelife immigrants were often lonely and more dependent on their adult children. Financial security and healthcare access were important considerations for mid-life immigrants. Several participants felt like an 'outsider' in the US but also felt like they were regarded as 'foreigners' in their country of origin, resulting in feelings of ambivalence and alienation. Many participants, particularly women, reported feeling less safe in their neighborhoods given the increasing prevalence of violence against Asian Americans in recent years and some were even contemplating moving to another country post-retirement. These findings provide insights into how aging is experienced among Chinese Americans and may help inform initiatives to support successful aging in this population sub-group.

EXPLORING DEPRESSION AND ITS CORRELATES AMONG RESETTLED BHUTANESE OLDER ADULTS IN OHIO
Saruna Ghimire, 1 Bunsi Chapadia, 1 Isha Karmacharya, 1 Aman Shrestha, 1 Janardan Subedi, 2 and Robert Applebaum 1 , 1. Miami University,Oxford,Ohio,United States,2 Miami University,Oxford,Ohio,United States Following the "ethnic cleansing" by the Bhutanese government in the 1990s, Nepali-lingual Bhutanese fled from southern Bhutan and spent about two decades in refugee camps in Nepal before resettlement in the US and other countries. During post-resettlement, this population had a high rate of suicide and mental health problems. However, studies specifically among resettled older Bhutanese are lacking. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression and explore its correlates among resettled Bhutanese Older Adults in Ohio. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ohio (Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, and Cincinnati). The exploratory study surveyed 275 participants between January-June 2022, using snowball sampling, given the absence of a sampling frame. Study participants include adults 55 years and above, identified with the help of local community-based organizations. Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale, and life satisfaction, social support and resiliency were measured using validated standard tools. The prevalence of depression was 31.8%. In the adjusted model, factors associated with lower odds of depression were better self-reported health, satisfaction with life (OR=0.08, 95%CI: 0.01-0.46) and high social support (OR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.07-0.78). Resiliency was inversely associated with the odds of depression (low resiliency: OR=4.98, 95%CI: 2.02-12.28; high resiliency: OR=0.21, 95%CI: 0.07-0.64). Given the lack of a basic health profile of this population, this exploratory study is a necessary stepping stone and the first of its kind. This study will help to inform the relevant stakeholders and community leaders and provide baseline evidence for further research and programmatic actions.

ESTABLISHING A SPANISH FOCUSED ADVANCED CARE PLANNING EDUCATIONAL SESSION FOR LATINA BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
Moroni Fernandez Cajavilca, 1 Kara Dassel, 2 Gabriela Portugal, 3 Rebecca Utz, 2 and Katherine Supiano 2 , 1. University of Utah,Bronx,New York,United States,2. University of Utah,Salt Lake City,Utah,United States,3. Alliance Community,Murray,Utah,United States In this exploratory, qualitative study, a focus group was conducted with Latina breast cancer survivors and patients to explore their feedback on how a culturally, sensitive educational session looks like, and whether a Spanish-speaking advanced care planning (ACP) educational session might be able to identify barriers for promoting awareness and discussion of ACP. First, the educational session informed participants on ACP, specifically an advanced directive (AD) and barriers that contribute to decreased rates in ACP among Latino populations. Second, a group interview was facilitated by the project lead using a semi structured interview guide. Eight Latina cancer survivors or patients participated in the educational session. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: 1) Familial Involvement 2) Need for Advanced Care Planning Education 3) Addressing Language and Cultural Barriers and 4) Culturally Sensitive and Informative Resources. A Spanish focused educational session may reduce current barriers that hinder ACP conversations, and may lead to increased rates of participants engaging in AD documentation.

THE EFFECTS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ON POSTURAL ADAPTATION DURING A VISUAL SEARCH TASK IN OLDER ADULTS
Alexander Wolfe, 1 Tongjian You, 2 Suzanne Leveille, 2 Brad Manor, 3 and Azizah Jor'dan 4 , 1. University of Massachusetts Boston,Dorchester,Massachusetts,United States,2. University of Massachusetts Boston,Boston,Massachusetts,United States,3. Hebrew SeniorLife/ Harvard Medical School,Roslindale,Massachusetts,United States,4. University of Massachusetts,Boston,Massachusetts,United States Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a reduction in sensory integration capacity that often results in cognition and postural control deficits. The effects of T2DM on the ability to adapt one's postural sway while standing and performing a visual search task (VST) are unknown. Twenty-three healthy older adults (HOA) (70-90 years) and 20 older adults with T2DM (67-93 years) performed multiple trials of quiet standing with and without a VST (i.e., counting 1 target letter in a grid of random letters). Postural sway acceleration measures were jerk, velocity, range, and pathlength in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) direction, as well as elliptical area. Postural adaptation to the VST was defined as the absolute change between conditions. VST accuracy (%) was defined as the percentage of participant-reported target letters compared to total target letters. In general, for both groups, performing the VST resulted in an average reduction in sway jerk, velocity, pathlength, and range when performing the VST, compared to control (T2DM & HOA, p < 0.04). VST accuracy and the magnitude of postural adaptation to the VST were similar between groups (p>0.15). Within the T2DM group, those who performed worse on the VST exhibited less adaptation (i.e., smaller decrease) in ML velocity (r=0.47, p=0.04). No other differences or associations were observed. Compared to healthy older adults, those with T2DM demonstrated a similar capacity to adapt their postural control in response to a VST. However, this group exhibited different characteristic changes in sway which were linked to task performance.

EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF FAR-INFRARED TECHNOLOGY ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS
Arianna Balingit, 1 and Joshua Guggenheimer 2 , 1. St. Catherine University,St.Paul,Minnesota,United States,2. St. Catherine University,St. Paul,Minnesota,United States The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of far-infrared heat (FIR) on pain management and quality of life (QOL) in older adults (OA). FIR utilizes a long-wave light